Arachu Vitta Sambar

Arachuvitta Sambhar, also called Idi Sambar is a very traditional way of preparing sambar. It is still followed in restaurants to get its unbeatable taste. It is the same sambhar that is served in Tamil Brahmin weddings.

As the name means, it is made with a blend of freshly ground spices. This aromatic spices gives it an aroma and taste that is just incomparable with the usual sambhar made with stored bought sambhar powder. It is a little time consuming but totally worth the effort.

Try this outstanding recipe and enjoy for your next meal.

Recipe For Arachu Vitta Sambar

Preparation Time : 20 minutes
Cooking Time : 20 minutes
Serves : 4-6

Ingredients

Toor dal - 1/3 cup (or 1 cup cooked dal)

Tamarind - lime sized

Sambhar Onions (Pearl Onions) - 10-12

Mixed Vegetables - about 1 cup (I used 1 tomato, 3-4 drumstick pieces, 1 brinjal cut into pieces, 1/2 radish and 1/2 carrot. You could also use potato, double beans, pumpkin etc. This sambhar tastes good without adding any vegetables too. It is then referred to as Vengaya Sambhar.)

Turmeric Powder - 1/4 tsp

Salt - to taste

To Roast And Grind

Coriander Seeds - 1 tbsp

Channa dal - 2 tsp

Dry Red Chilies - 4

Fenugreek seeds - 1/8 tsp

Grated Coconut - 2 tbsp

For Tempering

Oil/Ghee - 1 tbsp

Mustard seeds - 1/4 tsp

Fenugreek seeds - 1/8 tsp

Asafoetida - a pinch

Curry Leaves - 5

Preparations

Soak the tamarind in some water. Extract the juice and keep it ready.

Chop and vegetables into uniform sized pieces and keep it ready.

Pressure cook the toor dal till it turns soft and mushy.

Heat a pan on low flame and roast the channa dal. After giving it a 10 second head start, add the coriander seeds and fry red chilies.